. >> thank you. lawmakers are continuing fiscal cliff discussions this morning. let's get to john harwood with an update. i have now am viewing the ball falling tonight. if there is not a deal -- and i don't know, you're going to tell us what the chances are, but that gives a whole new meaning as that's coming down. we hit the cliff when that -- >> that would be the bottom of the cliff. >> this is the first time ever when it's more than just ushering in a new year, but it would usher in serious fiscal head winds. >> it would, but there's still a chance this is going to work. >> have you talked to anyone this morning? >> i did. i got a message this morning on my blackberry about ten minutes ago from our senate republican source who said talks with biden were good last night. they went late. that is a promising sign that there is still a chance. they didn't break down, but there's still a chance that biden and mcconnell can come out with some sort of a deal, maybe the income threshold would be $400,000, maybe it would be $500,000, but it looks possible that they're